“I didn’t realize this was going to be such a big gathering. I didn’t realize it was going to be a formal gathering like this.

“There is a letter being prepared by some members of the executive and it will be released later today. The letter is really just stating what’s already been stated by myself and others throughout the week, that the business of the city will continue as usual. And also, that these members that are signing the letter urge the mayor to come out and make a comment to the media and to the public. I can’t say any more than that. That’s about what it contains.”

(A reporter asks why it matters that Holyday put in writing what he has been saying all week.)

“Some members of the executive committee, I guess, have been getting calls from some of their residents wanting to know about the business of the city and how it’s affected by this. For that reason, they want to put that letter out and I said, ‘Fine, I’ll sign the letter.’ It’s restating what I’ve already said.”

(Holyday is asked about whether Ford fired his chief of staff for urging him to go into rehab.)

“I don’t know what the mayor’s former chief of staff has urged him to do but I’ll be talking to the mayor later today and we’ll see what he’s got to say.’

(A reporter asks whether Holyday will suggest that Ford go to rehab.)

“No. I want to find out just what the difficulties are with him not speaking to the public and certainly if he has any problems, he should do something. But at this point I don’t know that.

“I would like the mayor to speak up regardless. I’ve said that right from the outset. The only story out there comes from the Toronto Star and if the mayor has another version that he should be out there putting that forward so people can make a decision. And at this point, it hasn’t happened but I think the longer that goes on, the worse it gets. I think it’s urgent, but again it’s up to him.

“We can do our business here, if the mayor was hospitalized or if the mayor went on vacation or something else happened to take him away from the scene of city hall here, we would still continue on with the business. That’s the way this is set up. This operation doesn’t depend on any one person and we’ll continue to do the city’s business.”

(Holyday is asked if the mayor should step down if he insists on maintaining his silence.)

“I’m not willing to say that.”

(A reporter asks whether Holyday thinks he’ll end up as acting mayor)

“Well, I don’t know that either, but if it comes to that, that’s my job as deputy mayor and I will do it.”

(Holyday is asked whether the current situation is a crisis)

“Well, I don’t know if ‘crisis’ is the right word. It is certainly a situation we have to deal with, and we’ve got to get around it and we will.”

(A reporter asks whether council can elbow the mayor aside.)

“I don’t believe so.”

(Holyday is asked whether Ford can chair the executive committee meeting on Tuesday.)

“Yes.”

(A reporter asks whether people are worried about the situation at city hall.)

“Well, I don’t know. I’ve not heard from very many that have indicated they’re worried and I’ve tried to reassure the public at any opportunity I’ve had that the business of the city can go on. It’s gone on all week. We’ve had committee meetings take place. The water still comes out of your tap. The fire department are still working. You can still get books out of the library. I mean, every city service that I know of is still working the way it’s supposed to and it doesn’t depend on one person.’

(Holyday is asked whether he’s worried about the mayor.)

“Well, I’m concerned. I just think there’s a lot of pressure on him and he has to do something to get this matter resolved. To sit back and hope it goes away I don’t think is the answer.”

“No, he hasn’t. He did mention to me at one point that he had, I guess, advice from lawyers that the less he said the better. Who knows what that implies?”

(Holyday is asked whether Ford is listening to his advice.)

“Well, he always listens. I’ve said that before, too. But listening and actions are two different things and sometimes I don’t see the action after we’ve had the conversation, and that I guess is the case here.”

“No. I have not talked to him. I don’t know about that and I’m not going to speculate. I haven’t talked to Mark either. I’m disappointed Mark’s gone. I thought Mark did a pretty good job. He worked hard, I know that, and he tried his best. I guess he and mayor had a serious disagreement, over what I’m not 100 per cent sure.”

(Holyday is asked whether he is frustrated.)

“I don’t know if ‘frustrated’ is the word, but I certainly would like him to come forward and speak to the public.”

“Oh yes, he can. Yes, he’s legally entitled to and there’s no way that I could say, ‘Rob, you can’t sit in your chair’ or the executive could say ‘Rob, you can’t sit in your chair.’ He’s the mayor of the city, elected duly, and until such things change, he’s the mayor.”

(Holyday is asked whether Ford should continue to represent the city at official events)

“It’s not up to me to say that. I’m not about to tell the mayor what he should or shouldn’t do as far as dealing with the public is concerned on routine matters.

“Again, this is an issue that’s come up that I’m not pleased with. I don’t like the city of Toronto being shown in this light. But it is what it is. What can we do about that? We have to just continue on here and do our best and that’s what we intend to do.”

(A reporter asks whether Holyday has seen any indication that Ford has a substance abuse problem).

“No, I haven’t.”

(Holyday is asked whether Ford’s Sunday radio show is the appropriate forum to address the controversy, or whether he should do it sooner.)

“It’s a great question but you’re going to have to ask him.”

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